Inner Strength
When we read about early disciples of Jesus Christ and the trials and tortures they went through, we realize they had to have inner strength to endure to the end. What is this mysterious inner strength and where does it come from? Most importantly, how do we obtain it?
We must look into God’s word to find out how to have inner strength. Philippians 3:3 says, "For we are of the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh." What is being said here? The Apostle Paul is saying that when we serve God and worship Him by being servants of others on His behalf, we are of the true faith of Jesus Christ (Rom. 12:1-21; 6:13; 8:12-13; Gal. 5:16; Matt. 23:11). We give Jesus Christ the credit and the glory and put no confidence in the flesh (Col. 3:17; Phil. 3:3). In other words, we do not trust in our strength but in the strength God gives to us when we put our faith in Him.
First Peter 4:11 says the person who is serving God by serving others and making all his ways pleasing to Him should do so by the strength God supplies, so that in all things, God may be glorified through Jesus Christ (Matt. 5:16).
We are to cast all our anxieties, our troubled thoughts, our problems and our frustrations on God, and He will take them from us (1 Peter 5:7). There is no more condemnation for us (feeling bad about ourselves or our shortcomings) when we are living the way Jesus Christ showed us to live daily (Rom. 8:1; 1 John 3:18-21).
In plain language, how can we build inner strength?
1. Inner strength comes from living for God daily and no longer for self (which is living to the flesh).
2. Inner strength comes from living the life of Jesus Christ in our bodies and doing the deeds that Jesus, our example, did (Rev. 2:26).
3. Inner strength comes from perfecting our faith by doing righteous works, as Abraham did (James 2:21-23).
4. Inner strength comes from trusting in God daily for our daily needs.
5. Inner strength comes from passing our tests and trials, and enduring the sufferings God brings upon us to perfect our faith (Heb. 12:3-11; 1 Peter 2:24; 4:1, 12-13, 18-19; 5:10; Heb. 5:8-9; Phil. 4:6).
How many people cast all their anxieties, troubles and woes on Jesus Christ, and experience the inner strength that comes from God by doing so (1 Peter 5:7)? Remember, God does not hear sinners, but only those who show Him respect by doing His Will daily on this earth as it is being done in heaven (John 9:31; Matt. 6:10; 7:21; 12:50; 1 John 2:17, 29; 3:7; 1 Peter 2:15; 4:2-6; Luke 8:21; Eph. 5:17; Rom. 12:2). So let’s live for God and then trust in Him for the inner strength that cannot fail.